Method of preparing reduced fat foods

ABSTRACT

A method of preparing a material useful in reduced fat foods is provided. This method involves debranching an amylopectin starch in the presence of ultrasonic waves. The debranched amylopectin starch is precipitated and then fragmented to form an aqueous dispersion that is useful in replacing fat in a variety of food formulations. The debranched amylopectin starch can be derived from a starch which contains amylopectin, e.g. common corn starch and waxy maize starch, by gelatinizing the starch followed by treatment with a debranching enzyme, e.g. isoamylase or pullulanase, in the presences of ultrasonic waves followed by precipitation of the debranched starch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/918,862, filed Jul. 30, 1992, now pending which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/746,381, filed Aug. 16, 1991 now abandoned, and U.S. application Ser. No. 07/798,291, filed Nov. 26, 1991, now abandoned the disclosure of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/908,728, filed Jul. 6, 1992, now pending, which was a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/578,994, filed Sep. 6, 1990, now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/483,208, filed Feb. 20, 1990, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to food formulations in which at least a portion of the fat and/or oil is replaced by a carbohydrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,166 (Lenchin et al.) discloses converted starches having a DE less than 5 and certain paste and gel characteristics which are used as a fat and/or oil replacement in various foods, including ice cream and mayonnaise. T he converted starches are described as dextrins, add-converted starches (fluidity starches), enzyme-converted starches and oxidized starches. It is also disclosed that if the converted starches are not rendered cold-water soluble by the conversion, they are pregelatinized prior to use or cooked during use.

A product bulletin entitled "Paselli SA2; The Natural Alternative to Fats and Oils" (AVEBE b.a., Foxhol, Holland, Ref. No. 05.12.31.167 EF) discloses the use of a low-DE-hydrolysate (DE less than 3) made from potato starch as a replacement for fifty percent of the fat with an amount of the low-DE-potato starch hydrolysate plus water (starch hydrolysate at 28% dry solids) equal to the amount of fat replaced.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,962,465 (Richter et al.) and 3,986,890 ( Richter et al. ) disclose the use of thermoreversible gels of a starch hydrolysate (formed by enzymatic hydrolysis) as a substitute for fat in a variety of foods, including cake creams and fillings, mayonnaise and remoulades, cream cheeses and other cheese preparations, bread spreads, pastes, meat and sausage products, and whipped cream.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,723 (Chiu) discloses partially debranched starch prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of the alpha-1,6-D-glucosidic bonds of the starch, comprising amylopectin, partially debranched amylopectin and up to 80% by weight, short chain amylose and that the partially debranched starch is useful in a variety of ways depending upon the degree of debranching. It is disclosed that a waxy maize starch (or other waxy starch) can be partially debranched (i.e. to 25% to 70% short chain amylose) to yield sufficient short chain amylose to form a thermally reversible gel in an aqueous starch suspension. It is further disclosed that the same degree of debranching of waxy starches is preferred for lending a fat-like, lubricating texture to an aqueous starch dispersion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of making a composition of matter useful in replacing fat and/or oil in a food formulation comprising:

(a) gelatinizing a starch having an amylopectin component;

(b) debranching the amylopectin in said gelatinized starch in a debranching medium, in which debranching medium ultrasonic waves at a frequency of from about 20 kHz to about 100 kHz are present, said debranching being effective to convert more than about 80% by weight of the amylopectin to short chain amylose and form a debranched amylopectin starch in said medium;

(c) ceasing the production of ultrasonic waves in the debranching medium and allowing the debranching medium to form a precipitate of debranched amylopectin starch;

(d) fragmenting a minor amount of said debranched amylopectin starch precipitate in a major amount of an aqueous liquid, said fragmenting being effective to form a particle gel of said composition.

In one aspect, this invention relates to a food formulation having a reduced level of fat and/or oil comprising a mixture of a foodstuff and a fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate as a replacement for at least a substantial portion of the fat and/or oil of said food formulation, said fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate being capable of forming a particle gel in aqueous dispersion.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a method of formulating a food containing a fat and/or oil ingredient comprising replacing at least a substantial portion of said fat and/or oil ingredient with a fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate being capable of forming a particle gel in aqueous dispersion.

By "fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate" is meant a starch material comprised of amylopectin which has been subjected to enzymatic debranching followed by precipitation and then mechanical disintegration of the precipitate into fragments. The debranching and disintegration will be sufficient to produce a precipitate which will form an aqueous dispersion having the characteristics of a particle gel.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a method of making a composition of matter useful in replacing fat and/or oil in a food formulation comprising physically fragmenting a minor amount of a debranched amylopectin starch precipitate in a major amount of an aqueous liquid, the degree of said physically fragmenting being sufficient to form a particle gel of said composition.

In another aspect, this invention relates to an aqueous dispersion useful as a replacement for fats and/or oils comprising a major amount by weight of water and a minor amount by weight of a fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate, the degree of debranching and fragmentation of said precipitate being sufficient to form a particle gel of said composition.

The terms "foodstuff" and "food", as used here, are intended to broadly cover nutritional and/or functional materials that are ingested by humans in the course of consuming edible fare. The term "fats and/or oils" is intended to broadly cover edible lipids in general, specify the fatty acid triglycerides commonly found in foods. The terms thus include solid fats, plastic shortenings, fluid oils, and the like. Common fatty acid triglycerides include cottonseed oil, soybean oil, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, sesame oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, menhaden oil, whale oil, lard, and tallow. The technology of fats and/or oils is described generally by T. H. Applewhite, "Fats and Fatty Oils", Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 9, pp. 795-831 (Kirk-Othmer, eds., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 3d ed., 1980), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

The use of the terms "major" and "minor" in context together in this specification is meant to imply that the major component is present in a greater amount by weight than the minor component, and no more nor less should be inferred therefrom unless expressly noted otherwise in context.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitates made by the sequential steps of debranching, precipitation, and fragmentation of a starch material containing amylopectin. Starch is generally comprised of a highly-branched glucan having alpha-1,4 and alpha-1,6 linkages, denominated amylopectin, and a substantially linear glucan, having almost exclusively alpha-1, 4 linkages, denominated amylose. Methods of determining the amounts of each are referenced in R. L. Whistler et al., Starch: Chemistry and Technology, pp. 25-35 (Academic Press, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1984), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Starches having a major proportion (i.e. at least 50% by weight) of amylopectin are preferred and examples of these include the common non-mutant starches of cereals, tubers and legumes, e.g. corn, wheat, rice, potato and tapioca, pea and mutant varieties comprised of a major proportion of amylopectin, e.g. waxy maize. Common corn starch and waxy maize starch, both of which are examples of starches containing less than 40% amylose, are useful herein. However, starches containing a major amount of amylose (e.g. 50% to 75% by weight) are also useful and may be preferred depending upon the precise properties desired in the final product. Examples of such starches from high amylose corn include HI-SET® C and HYLON™ (each about 55% amylose by weight) and HYLON™ VII (about 70% amylose by weight), all available from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, Bridgewater, N.J.

In certain embodiments, the starch consists essentially of amylopectin. In such embodiments, the starch employed is from a mutant variety of native starch which consists essentially of amylopectin or is amylopectin derived from a native starch variety containing both amylose and amylopectin. Methods for the fractionation of amylose and amylopectin from native starch are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,067 (Etheridge).

If the starch chosen as a starting material is not in pre-gelatinized or instant form, the starch must be gelatinized or pasted prior to debranching. The gelatinization or pasting process disrupts, at least in substantial part, the associative bonding of the starch molecules in the starch granule. This permits the enzyme to access to the molecule to more easily and uniformly debranch the amylopectin molecules. This disruption is accomplished by heating a slurry of the starch to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient length of time depending upon the inherent resistance of the particular starch to gelatinization and the amount of moisture present in the slurry. The slurry will typically be comprised of a major amount of water (i.e. at least 50% by weight) and a minor amount of the starch starting material (i.e. less than about 50% by weight). Preferably, the starch slurry will contain at least about 5% starch, typically between about 10% to about 25% starch. The pH of the slurry will generally be substantially neutral, i.e. from about 3.5 to about 9 and more preferably from about 6 to 8, to minimize hydrolysis of the starch molecules. The time, temperature, slurry solids and pH should be optimized to gelatinize the starch, yet minimize hydrolysis of the starch.

The appropriate temperature, pressure and period of treatment needed to provide a starch paste is preferably obtained by processing aqueous starch slurries in equipment commonly known in the art as steam injection heaters or jet cookers. In such equipment, superatmospheric steam is injected and mixed with a water slurry of starch in a throat section of a jet. Upon contact with the injected steam, the starch granules are uniformly and thermally treated under turbulent conditions whereupon the starch granules are gelatinized and solubilized. Examples of steam injection heaters where the temperature, pressure and feed rate can be regulated to provide the desired starch pastes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,197,337; 3,219,483; and 3,133,836. More uniformly solubilized starch pastes are obtained by use of the steam injection heater in combination with a holding zone such as coiled tubing or a pressurized tank constructed to minimize liquid channeling. Other pasting equipment, e.g. heat exchangers, homogenizers, cookers, votators, sizeometer cookers, kettle cookers, etc., may be employed provided the pasting conditions can be adequately maintained.

The gelatinized starch is then treated with a debranching enzyme, i.e. an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the 1,6-glucosidic bond of amylopectin without significant capability of hydrolyzing the 1,4-glucosidic bond. Enzymes from a variety of sources are capable of debranching amylopectin. U.S. Pat. No. 3,370,840 (Sugimoto et al.) describes sources of debranching enzymes, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of useful enzymes include pullulanases derived from bacteria of the genus Aerobacter (e.g. E.C. 3.2.1.41 pullulan 6-glucanohydrolase) and isoamylases derived from bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas (e.g. E. C. 3.2.1.68 glycogen 6-glucanohydrolase). Particularly useful enzymes include thermostable enzymes, e.g. thermostable pullulanases as disclosed in PCT Publ. No. WO 92/02614, published Feb. 20, 1992, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, and which are obtained from members of the genus Pyrococcus. The debranching enzyme may be in solution during debranching or it may be immobilized on a solid support.

The debranching enzyme preparation should be as specific as possible for the hydrolysis of the 1,6-glucosidic bond of amylopectin and amylose. Thus, the enzyme preparation, if it contains a mixture of enzymes, is preferably essentially free of enzymes capable of hydrolyzing alpha-1,4-glucosidic bonds. Minimizing hydrolysis of alpha-1,4-glucosidic bonds will help to minimize the amounts of dextrose and soluble oligomers produced during debranching. Because these soluble saccharides are not believed to contribute to the functionality of the debranched material, minimizing their production will enhance the yield of functional material.

The debranching medium will, for at least a portion of the debranching reaction lime period, be subjected to ultrasonic waves. Thus, the debranching will be accomplished in a reactor fitted with means to produce ultrasonic waves in the debranching medium. Such means may be fitted to the outside of the vessel or may be suspended with the vessel. The ultrasonic waves will be those associated with low-frequency ultrasound (also termed "power ultrasound") with frequencies in the range of about 20 kHz to about 100 kHz as opposed to high-frequency ultrasound (also termed "diagnostic ultrasound") where the frequencies range from 2 MHz to 10 MHz. Ultrasound principles and techniques are disclosed by T. J. Mason, Chemistry with Ultrasound, pp. 1-26, 91-98, and 159-187 (published as Critical Reports on Applied Chemistry, Volume 28, for the Society of Chemical Industry by Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd., N.Y., N.Y., 1990), the disclossure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

It has been found that the use of ultrasonic waves greatly speeds the debranching reaction. In fact, without the use of ultrasound, it is generally necessary to interrupt the reaction after only a portion of the amylopectin has been debranched by heating the medium to a temperature which will redissolve much of the material that tends to precipitate during the debranching. (The solution is unstable at the temperatures employed for debranching and, thus, material tends to precipitate. This precipitate is deposited on un-debranched material thus blocking further action of the debranching enzymes.) This heating exposes un-debranched molecules to the debranching enzyme, but the temperature needed to accomplish this exposure typically denatures conventional debranching enzymes. Thus, after such heating, more active debranching enzyme must be added to the medium for further debranching to occur. The use of ultrasound instead of heating greatly increases the energy efficiency and enzyme usage efficiency of the reaction, as well as reducing the needed residence time of the material in the debranching reactor.

The debranching enzyme is allowed to act upon the solubilized starch containing amylopectin. The optimum concentration of enzyme and substrate in the debranching medium will, in general, depend upon the level of activity of the enzyme which, in turn, will vary depending upon the enzyme source, enzyme supplier and the concentration of the enzyme in commercial batches. When the isoamylase E. C. 3.2.1.68, derived from Pseudomonas amyloderamosa, available from Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo., is employed, typical conditions include the treatment of a starch solution at 5% to 30% by weight starch solids with about 50 units of enzyme per gram of starch for a period of about 48 hours to obtain substantially complete debranching.

The optimum pH and temperature of the debranching medium will also depend upon the choice of enzyme. The debranching medium may, in addition to the water used to solubilize the starch, contain buffers to ensure that the pH will be maintained at an optimum level throughout the debranching. Examples of useful buffers include acetates, citrates, and the salts of other weak acids. With the isoamylase described above, the pH is preferably maintained at about 4.0 to 5.0 and the temperature from about 40 degrees C. to about 50 degrees C. With the thermostable pullulanase described above, the pH is preferably maintained between 5 and 7 and the optimum temperature should be between 85 degrees C. and 115 degrees C.

The debranching is allowed to proceed until the desired degree of debranching has been obtained. The precise degree of debranching needed to obtain the desired particle gel of the debranched amylopectin starch may vary depending upon the source of the starch and the precise properties desired in the resulting gel. Preferably, the degree of debranching is sufficient to convert more than about 80% of the amylopectin in the starch to short chain amylose and, more preferably, at least about 90% of the amylopectin. In preferred embodiments, essentially all of the amylopectin is converted to short chain amylose. The amount of short chain amylose can be measured by gel permeation chromatography as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,723, wherein short chain amylose is calculated from the relative area of the peak obtained within the molecular weight range of 500 to 20,000. Thus, preferably less than 20% of the amylopectin that was originally present will be present as molecular species having a molecular weight in excess of 20,000 g/mol, and most preferably, essentially no amylopectin having a molecular weight in excess of 20,000 g/mol will remain. (It should be noted that if amylose is present, at least a portion thereof may be debranched to produce molecules above the 20,000 g/mol cut-off and molecules below the 20,000 g/mol cut-off. To measure how much of the material eluting between 500 g/mol and 20,000 g/mol is debranched amylopectin and how much is debranched amylose, it may be necessary to fractionate the starting starch into its amylose and amylopectin fractions and then debranch and elute each fraction separately.)

It has been found, as described more fully below, that when waxy maize starch was debranched, precipitated and then fragmented, a degree of debranching of only about 57% resulted in an aqueous dispersion that displayed the rheological characteristics of a polymer gel. However, when the debranching was allowed to proceed to 69% and 85%, an aqueous dispersion of the fragmented precipitate displayed rheological properties characteristic of a particle gel. When the degree of debranching was substantially 100%, the fragmented precipitate displayed rheological properties even more closely resembling a particle gel, and in fact, which bore a remarkable resemblance to a commercially available plastic fat, i.e. CRISCO brand shortening, a product of Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio.

After the desired degree of debranching is obtained, debranching enzyme in solution is deactivated, e.g. by heating to denature the enzyme. If an immobilized enzyme is employed, the contact time of the solubilized starch is adjusted so that the starch is removed from the enzyme when the desired degree of debranching is obtained. The debranching medium may be concentrated by removal of water therefrom, e.g. by evaporation, to facilitate precipitation. The debranching medium may also be treated to remove impurities therefrom. Treatment with, for exam pie, activated carbon will remove residual proteins and lipids that may contribute to off-flavors and/or colors.

The solution of debranched starch is then allowed to form a precipitate. Generally, the solution will be cooled, e.g. to ambient temperature, to reduce the solubility of the debranched starch therein. The solution will typically be allowed to stand until substantial equilibrium is achieved between the supernatant and the precipitate. The precipitate can be isolated from the supernatant, e.g. by centrifugation, prior to fragmentation, but isolation from the supernatant is not necessary to form a useful product.

Heating (e.g. to about 70 degree C.) of the precipitate while in contact with a liquid medium (e.g. the supernatant from original precipitation and/or fresh water following isolation of the precipitate from the supernatant) to dissolve at least a portion of the precipitate and then reprecipitation by cooling of the suspension/solution can also be employed. This reprecipitation tends to make the precipitate resistant to melting or dissolving when an aqueous dispersion of the fragmented precipitate is exposed to heat, e.g. in a pasteurization step. In general, the higher the temperature to which the precipitate in the liquid medium is heated (and thus the greater the amount of precipitate that is redissolved), the higher the temperature at which the resulting aqueous dispersion of fragmented precipitate will be stable. Repetition of the dissolving and reprecipitation also tends to improve the temperature stability of the resulting aqueous dispersion.

It is also advantageous to heat the precipitate to redissolve a substantial portion of the low melting polysaccharides and then treat the heated suspension of precipitate with acid or enzyme to hydrolyze soluble polysaccharides in the solution. (It may also be advantageous to filter the slurry while hot to remove soluble polysaccharides or their hydrolysates.) The dissolving and reprecipitation steps alone improve the stability of the aqueous dispersion by increasing the amount of the fragmented precipitate which remains as insoluble fragments in an aqueous dispersion that is exposed to heat. Further, a slow rate of heating and/or cooling (e.g. from about 0,005 degree C./min. to about 0.5 degree C./min. for each) may be advantageous. However, the remaining soluble fraction of the precipitate can associate to form relatively large particles that are present in the precipitate after fragmentation and that can contribute a "chalky" or "gritty" texture to the dispersion. Treatment of the heated suspension/solution of the precipitate with acid or enzyme to hydrolyze a substantial portion of the soluble fraction can reduce or eliminate such large particles. Typical treatment conditions will involve mild hydrolysis catalyzed by acid, e.g. in a solution of 0.1N HCl for one hour, or, preferably, by enzyme, e.g. alpha-amylase.

The isolated debranched amylopectin starch precipitate is typically washed and then dried (e.g. to a low moisture content, typically 3-8%) after isolation to allow for handling and storage prior to further processing. Examples of drying techniques spray drying, flash drying, tray drying, belt drying, and sonic drying. The dried precipitate may be hygroscopic. Thus, some rehydration during handling and storage may occur. Depending upon the precise composition of the precipitate and the conditions (including length of time) of storage, steps to maintain the moisture at a low content may be necessary (e.g. moisture barrier packaging and/or control of humidity in the storage environment). If the moisture content is allowed to rise too far (e.g. greater than about 20%, or possibly greater than 15%), bulk handling problems and/or microbiological stability problems might arise.

The debranched amylopectin starch precipitate may also be otherwise chemically modified. Examples of such chemical modification include the product of reaction with bleaching agents (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, ammonium persulfate, chlorine (e.g. calcium and/or sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite), and permanganate (e.g. potassium permanganate)); esterifying agents (e.g. acetic anhydride, adipic anhydride, octenyl succinic anhydrides, succinic anhydride, vinyl acetate); including phosphorous compounds (e.g. monosodium orthophosphate, phosphorous oxychloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium trimetaphosphate); and/or etherifying agents (e.g. acrolein, epichlorohydrin, and/or propylene oxide). Such chemical modifications will typically be accomplished after the debranching step, but may be accomplished prior to the debranching or effected by using a modified starch as a starting material for the debranching step, provided such modification does not preclude debranching.

The debranched amylopectin starch precipitate is subjected to a physical fragmentation as by mechanical disintegration, i.e. fragmented. The degree of fragmentation will be sufficient to allow the precipitate to form a particle gel in an aqueous medium. Certain steps can be taken prior to fragmentation to enhance the susceptibility of the precipitate to fragmentation. For example, the addition to the solution of additives which will introduce imperfections into the crystalline structure of the precipitate e.g. higher saccharides such as maltodextrins, may make the precipitate easier to fragment to the desired degree. Subjecting a slurry of the precipitate to mild hydrolysis catalyzed by acid, e.g. in a solution of 0.1N HCl for one hour, or, preferably, by enzyme, e.g. alpha-amylase, may also make fragmentation easier.

The mechanical disintegration of the precipitate may be carried out in several ways, as by subjecting it to attrition in a mill, or to a high speed shearing action, or to the action of high pressures. Disintegration is generally carried out in the presence of a major amount by weight of a liquid medium, preferably water. Although tap water is the preferred liquid medium for the dispersion of fragmented starch precipitate, other liquids are suitable provided sufficient water is present to hydrate the fragmented starch precipitate and, thus, result in a dispersion having the characteristics of a particle gel. Sugar solutions, polyols, of which glycerol is an example, alcohols, particularly ethanol, isopropanol, and the like, are good examples of suitable liquids that can be in admixture with water in the liquid medium. It may also be possible to fragment the starch precipitate in a non-hydrating medium (e.g. 95% ethanol), then solvent exchange with water, and finally redisperse the fragmented starch precipitate to form an aqueous dispersion. Typically, however, the starch precipitate will be physically fragmented in potable water.

The mechanical disintegration is preferably accomplished by subjecting an aqueous dispersion of the precipitate to high shear, e.g. in a Waring blender or a homogenizer such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,254 (Cook et al.) and commercially available as a MICROFLUIDIZER™ from Microfluidics Corporation, Newton, Mass., or a homogenizer such as the RANNIE™ high pressure laboratory homogenizer, Model Mini-lab, type 8.30 H, APV Rannie, Minneapolis, Minn. Homogenizers useful in forming suspensions or emulsions are described generally by H. Reuter, "Homogenization", Encyclopedia of Food Science, pp. 374-376, (M. S. Peterson and A. H. Johnson, eds., AVI Publ. Co., Westport, Conn., 1978), L. H. Rees and W. D. Pandolfe, "Homogenizers", Encyclopedia of Food Engineering, pp. 467-472 (C. W. Hall et al., eds., AVI Publ. Co., Westport, Conn., 1986), and W. C. Griffin, "Emulsions", Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 8, pp. 900-930 (Kirk-Othmer, eds., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 3d ed., 1979), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The temperature of the starch precipitate during the fragmentation step should be maintained below the temperature at which a major portion of the precipitate will dissolve in the aqueous medium. Thus, it may be desirable to cool the precipitate during disintegration. Alternatively, heat produced during fragmentation may cause the precipitate to dissolve, but cooling may cause the dissolved precipitate to reprecipitate and form a useful product. Whatever method is used, the disintegration is carried out to such an extent that the resulting finely-divided product is characterized by its ability to form a particle gel in the liquid medium in which it is attrited or in which it is subsequently dispersed.

The debranched amylopectin starch particles which make up the particle gel can be analyzed in a variety of ways. Rheological measurements can be made to determine the rheological characteristics of the resulting dispersion. Typically, the aqueous dispersion of debranched amylopectin starch particles will exhibit a transition in dynamic elastic modulus (G') versus shear strain at less than about 50 millitrain, and preferably less than about 10 millistrain, said transition being from a substantially constant G' versus shear strain to a decreasing G' versus shear strain. The transition indicates fracture of the particle network within the particle gel and is typically a sharp transition.

Analysis of the debranched amylopectin starch particles formed after dissolution shows that the starch has a measurable crystallinity. The crystalline regions of particles derived from fully debranched waxy maize starch (essentially no amylose component) exhibit a diffraction pattern characteristic of a starch material consisting essentially of A-type starch crystals. The crystalline regions of particles derived from substantially fully debranched common corn starch (about 28% amylose) exhibit a diffraction pattern characteristic of a starch material consisting essentially of B-type starch crystals.

It should also be noted that mechanical disintegration may be sufficient to produce an aqueous dispersion having the desired particle gel characterises, but still leave a sufficient number of particles of sufficient size to exhibit a "particulate" or "chalky" mouthfeel when ingested. Such chalkiness can be reduced by the mild hydrolysis discussed above or by reducing the particle size of the starch precipitate before, during or after mechanical disintegration so that substantially all (typically at least about 95%, preferably at least 99%) of the precipitate will pass a U.S. #325 mesh sieve (i.e. substantially all particles are less than 45 microns). An example of a milling devise suitable for such size reduction is a TROST™ Air Impact Mill from Garlock, Inc., Newton, Pa.

The use of the fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate allows for the replacement of a substantial portion (e.g. from 10% to 100% by weight) of the fat and/or oil in a food formulation. The precise level of replacement that is possible without significantly decreasing the organoleptic quality of the food will generally vary with the type of food. For example, in a French-style salad dressing, it is generally possible to completely replace the oil component that is normally present. In other types of foods, e.g. frostings, icings, cream fillings, ice cream, margarine, etc., a major amount of the fat and/or oil (e.g. about 50% to about 80%) can be replaced with little effect on the organoleptic desirability of the food. Examples of typical foods in which fat and/or oil can be replaced include frostings (e.g. icings, glazes, etc.), creme fillings, frozen deserts (e.g. ice milk, sherbets, etc.), dressings (e.g. pourable or spoonable salad and/or sandwich dressings), meat products (e.g. sausages, processed meats, etc.), cheese products (e.g. cheese spreads, processed cheese foods), margarine, fruit butters, other imitation dairy products, puddings (e.g. mousse desserts), candy (e.g. chocolates, nougats, etc.), and sauces, toppings, syrups and so on.

Generally, it will be desirable to remove sufficient fat from a given food formulation to achieve a reduction in calories of at least one-third per customary serving or make a label claim of "cholesterol-free". (In this regard, see, for example, the list of standard serving sizes for various foods published in Food Labelling; Serving Sizes, 55 Fed. Reg. 29517 (1990) (to be codified at 21 C.F.R. 101.12), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and the restrictions on labelling "cholesterol-free" at Food Labelling; Definitions of the Terms Cholesterol Free, Low Cholesterol and Reduced Cholesterol, 55 Fed. Reg. 29456 (1990)). It should also be noted that the fat removed from a particular formulation may be replaced with an equal amount by weight of an aqueous dispersion of fragmented starch precipitate, but that such equality may not be necessary or desirable in all instances. Further, it may be desirable to remove fat and add another ingredient (e.g. a gum, polydextrose, a protein, etc.) along with the aqueous dispersion of starch precipitate.

While this invention is generally directed to the replacement of fat and/or oil in a food formulation, it is of course within the contemplation of this invention that a fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate will be used in an entirely new formulation to which it contributes fat-like organoleptic qualities but is not, in the strictest sense, replacing a pre-existing fat or oil ingredient. Moreover, it is contemplated that the fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate will have utility as a thickener, bodying agent, or the like in foods that normally do not have a significant fat or oil component.

In general, the fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate is incorporated into the food as an aqueous dispersion, typically comprised of a major amount (i.e. greater than 50% by weight) of water or other liquid medium and a minor amount (i.e. less than 50% by weight, typically 10% to 40%) of starch precipitate solids. Alternatively, the isolated precipitate can be mixed with the food along with water and then subjected to disintegration in those instances when the other ingredients of the food are capable of withstanding the condition of disintegration, e.g. a salad dressing or imitation sour cream.

It is contemplated that commercial production and use may involve hydrolysis, mechanical disintegration, and drying (e.g. spray drying) of the fragmented starch precipitate to produce an item of commerce. This item of commerce will then be purchased by a food processor for use as an ingredient. To incorporate the dried, fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate into a food product, it may be useful and/or necessary to further mechanically disintegrate the starch precipitate while dispersing it into the foodstuff in which it will be employed. However, the techniques employed for such mechanical disintegration should not need to be nearly as vigorous as the original mechanical disintegration prior to drying.

The fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate can generally be heated while in a food system to dissolve a substantial portion of the precipitate. It appears that upon cooling, the precipitate undergoes reprecipitation and the resulting food product displays acceptable organoleptic properties. In some food systems, however, reprecipitation of the precipitate may be inhibited or modified i.e. by the presence of an ingredient that can interact with the solubilized precipitate. If undesirable reprecipitation will occur, the fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate should not be subjected to conditions (e.g. elevated temperature) which will cause the precipitate fragments (i.e. a majority by weight thereof) to dissolve.

Accordingly, if the food formulation is to be cooked or otherwise heated, to temperatures sufficient to dissolve the precipitate, such heating should be completed prior to the addition of the precipitate to the food. It should be noted, however, that in many foods that are cooked, e.g. cheesecake, the internal temperature and/or moisture availability may be insufficient to dissolve the starch precipitate fragments.

As noted above, the terms "food" and "foodstuffs" are intended broadly, as relating to both nutritional and/or functional food ingredients. It is contemplated that one or more food ingredients may be mixed with the aqueous dispersion of fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate, or even dry mixed with the debranched amylopectin starch precipitate prior to mechanical disintegration.

Among the food ingredients in the food formulations of this invention include flavors, thickeners (e.g. starches and hydrophilic colloids), nutrients (e.g. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, etc.), antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, non-fat milk solids, egg solids, acidulants, and so on.

Hydrophilic colloids can include natural gum material such as xanthan gum, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, guar gum, algin, alginates, gelatin, Irish moss, pectin, gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum karaya and plant hemicelluloses, e.g. corn hull gum. Synthetic gums such as water-soluble salts of carboxymethyl cellulose can also be used. Starches can also be added to the food. Examples of suitable starches include corn, waxy maize, wheat, rice, potato, and tapioca starches.

Non-fat milk solids which can be used in the compositions of this invention are the solids of skim milk and include proteins, mineral matter and milk sugar. Other proteins such as casein, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, modeled casein, sweet dairy whey, modified whey, and whey protein concentrate can also be used herein.

For many foods, it is accepted practice for the user to add the required amount of eggs in the course of preparation and this practice may be followed just as well herein. If desired, however, the inclusion of egg solids, in particular, egg albumen and dried yolk, in the food are allowable alternatives. Soy isolates may also be used herein in place of the egg albumen.

Dry or liquid flavoring agents may be added to the formulation. These include cocoa, vanilla, chocolate, coconut, peppermint, pineapple, cherry, nuts, spices, salts, flavor enhancers, among others.

Acidulants commonly added to foods include lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, and hydrochloric acid.

Generally, the other components of the various types of food formulations will be conventional, although precise amounts of individual components and the presence of some of the conventional components may well be unconventional in a given formulation. For example, the conventional other components for foods such as frozen desserts and dressings, are described in European Pat. Publication No. 0 340 035, published Nov. 2, 1989 (the pertinent disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), and the components and processing of table spreads is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,919 (Lowery), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

A particularly advantageous use of the fragmented starch precipitates described herein may be the use thereof to replace a portion of the shortening used in a layered pastry article. In layered pastry articles (Danish, croissants, etc.) layers of a bread dough are assembled with a "roll-in" placed between the layers. The roll-in commonly contains a "shortening" (i.e. a fat and/or oil component) from an animal (e.g. butter) or vegetable (e.g. partially hydrogenated soybean oil) source. The assembled article, optionally containing a filling or topping, is then baked to form a finished pastry. At least a portion of the shortening of an otherwise conventional roll-in can be replaced with an aqueous dispersion of fragmented, debranched amylopectin starch precipitate, preferably in admixture with an emulsifier (e.g. mono- and/or di-glycerides), and used to make a layered pastry.

The following examples will illustrate the invention and variations thereof within the scope and spirit of the invention will be apparent therefrom. All parts, percentages, ratios and the like are by weight throughout this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise noted in context.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1

Defatted 55% amylose and 70% amylose corn starches were each slurried at 1-2% d.s. in 0.1N NaCO3 buffer (at pH 7.0). The slurries were solubilized by heating to 160-165 degrees C. in a bomb reactor. The solutions were adjusted to 4.5 pH with 1.0N HCl. The solutions were transferred to 2 oz jars. Isoamylase enzyme (Hayashabara) was added to each jar at 200 units/g of starch after the samples were cooled to 45 degrees C. The jars were placed in a temperature controlled sonicator bath operating at 55 kHz on standard 120 V outlet. (Branson Mode/ B2200 R-4 ultrasonic cleaning bath, Branson Ultrasonics Corp., Danbury, Conn.). The samples were exposed to sonication for 55 minutes. The samples were heated to >80 degrees C. for 15 minutes and dried on a freeze dryer. Molecular wt. distributions are reported below.

    ______________________________________                                         Starch    Mw      Mn     Mw/Mn  M Peaks                                        ______________________________________                                         55% Amylose                                                                              31,845  5,542  5.8    65,000; 7,033; 3,169                           70% Amylose                                                                              47,085  7,384  6.5    92,000; 8,262; 3,367                           ______________________________________                                    

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A

Simultaneous reactions as above in Example 1 were hydrolyzed in 5 1, 3 neck flasks stirred with a Servodyne motor. Samples were taken for molecular weight distribution by GPC every 24 hrs. After 48 hrs., the material was resolubilized and dosed with additional enzyme (200 units/g of starch, isoamylase Hayashabara) and hydrolyzed for an additional 24 hrs. See molecular weight distributions below.

    ______________________________________                                         Starch Hrs.   Mw      Mn   Mw/Mn  M Peaks                                      ______________________________________                                         55%    24     62,400  6,157                                                                               10.1   106,000; 7,260; 2,930                        Amylose                                                                               48     49,900  5,782                                                                               7.6     88,000; 7,242; 3,269                               72     32,924  5,422                                                                               6.1     65,000; 7,033; 3,169                        70%    24     93,000  7,428                                                                               12.6    73,100; 2,142                               Amylose                                                                               48     85,600  7,058                                                                               12.1    81,200; 2,216                                      72     54,217  7,573                                                                               7.2     84,000; 8,262; 3,369                        ______________________________________                                    

The results indicate that the debranching hydrolysis of Example 1 was more efficient and less time consuming than the reactions not performed in the presence of sonication as in this comparative Example A.

EXAMPLE 2

The resulting freeze-dried powder of Example 1 can be prepared as a 30% d.s. creme for use in making a reduced fat sour cream. The creme preparation involves making a 30% d.s. slurry of the precipitate and heating it to 75 degrees C. The hot slurry can be sheared in a MICROFLUIDIZER using module 1351 and 15,000 psi. The resulting creme can be incorporated into the following reduced fat sour cream formula:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredients:        wt. %                                                      ______________________________________                                         Precipitate (30% d.s. creme)                                                                       39.79                                                      Sour cream          29.83                                                      Water               23.41                                                      Non-fat dry milk    5.97                                                       Lactic acid 88%     0.40                                                       Xanthan gum         0.20                                                       Salt                0.20                                                       Sodium citrate      0.20                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Procedure:

Lactic acid is added to the water and mixed well with a Kitchen Aide mixer. The dry ingredients are added and incorporated into the water making a slurry. The precipitate dispersion and the sour cream are blended into the slurry. The resulting material is hand homogenized and refrigerated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a composition of matter useful in replacing fat and/or oil in a food formulation comprising:(a) gelatinizing a starch having an amylopectin component; (b) debranching the amylopectin in said gelatinized starch in a debranching medium, in which debranching medium ultrasonic waves at a frequency of from about 20 kHz to about 100 kHz are present, said debranching being effective to convert more than about 80% by weight of the amylopectin to short chain amylose and form a debranched amylopectin starch in said medium; (c) ceasing the production of ultrasonic waves in the debranching medium and allowing the debranching medium to form a precipitate of debranched amylopectin starch; and (d) fragmenting by mechanical disintegration a minor amount of said debranched amylopectin starch precipitate in a major amount of an aqueous liquid, said fragmenting being effective to form a particle gel of said composition.
 2. A method of claim 1 where said particle gel exhibits a transition in dynamic elastic modulus versus shear strain from substantially constant dynamic elastic modulus to decreasing dynamic elastic modulus, said transition being exhibited at a shear strain of less than about 50 millistrain.
 3. A method of claim 1 wherein said debranched amylopectin starch is derived from starch from a variety of Zea mays.
 4. A method of claim 1 wherein said debranched amylopectin starch is derived from a starch consisting essentially of amylopectin.
 5. A method of claim 1 wherein said debranched amylopectin starch is derived from waxy maize starch.
 6. A method of claim 1 wherein said debranched amylopectin starch is composed of more than about 80% by weight short chain amylose.
 7. A method of claim 1 wherein said debranched amylopectin starch is essentially free of amylopectin having a molecular weight in excess of 20,000 g/mol. 